Akita Sake Promotion and Export Council (ASPEC) is a new consortium of 5 dynamic, traditional, award-wining, progressive, sake breweries from Akita Prefecture, in northern Japan. Founded between 1689 and 1874; for centuries Hinomaru Jozo, Suzuki Shuzouten, Akita Seishu, Tenju and Ginrin Brewery, have produced a superlative selection of hand made, artisanal sake. It is great news for YOU that these renown, individually successful, competitors joined ranks to bring their sake portfolios to the United States. As evidenced by their consecutive winning streaks in domestic and international competitions, ASPEC brewers not only live up to the tradition of excellence in their individual breweries; but also to the new heightened, collective standard of excellence of the Akita Sake Promotion and Export group!

THE CONSORTIUM

When the best bring their best YOU win!

Akita Sake Promotion and Export Council (ASPEC) is a new consortium of 5 dynamic, traditional, award-wining, progressive, sake breweries from Akita Prefecture, in northern Japan. Founded between 1689 and 1874; for centuries Hinomaru Jozo, Suzuki Shuzouten, Akita Seishu, Tenju and Ginrin Brewery, have produced a superlative selection of hand made, artisanal sake. It is great news for YOU that these renown, individually successful, competitors joined ranks to bring their sake portfolios to the United States. As evidenced by their consecutive winning streaks in domestic and international competitions, ASPEC brewers not only live up to the tradition of excellence in their individual breweries; but also to the new heightened, collective standard of excellence of the Akita Sake Promotion and Export group!

The ASPEC logo is your guarantee of a delicately balanced, elegant, playful and truly delicious sake that IS the distilled essence of the rich culture, deep traditions and awe-inspiring beauty of Akita, Japan

THE REGION

Akita is cherished by the Japanese for its natural beauty; lively festivals, delicate handicrafts, restorative hot springs, delicious seasonal foods and SAKE! Ranking fourth in total sake production, Akita is one of Japan’s most important sake producing states.

The Akita Cold Brewing method was developed in this state that is blanketed in snow throughout the long winter months.

In the awe inspiring beauty of the winter white landscape is hidden the secret of Akita Sake—the purest underground soft water sources –fertile soil and a dust free, pristine environment for producing sake.

The wisdom of hundreds of years of sake brewing in the region is collectively referred to as the “sannai” school of brewing. The Sake Brewing Masters, known as “toji,” harness the severe elements of the region; partnering with nature to create sake that is the distilled essence of the nature that surrounds them.

The Akita Cold Brewing Method ensures smooth, clean sake with full body and memorable characteristics. The people of Akita are so proud of their sake that they refer to their region as “bishuoukoku ” The Empire of beautiful sake!

THE SAKE

Regional sake with Global appeal!

ASPEC sake is made from rice grown in specially commissioned, eco- friendly local fields. Some of those fields have been designated as “organic” some paddies have been chemical free for more than 30 years!

ASPEC Breweries have founded and sponsored agricultural research centers in their region. They use Akita sake rice in their sake production. Akinosei, Akita Komachi, Akita Sake Komachi, Menkoina are names of Akita rice proudly indicated on back labels. This makes ASPEC sake truly unique…REGIONAL sake with GLOBAL appeal.

THE YEAST

As with their commitment to the continued research of sake rice, so too have ASPEC brewers been the impetus behind the development of unique developed ginjo yeast.

The Akita Prefecture is located in the Tohoku region of northern Japan. Its capital city by the same name, Akita, is 280 miles north east of Tokyo. The prefecture is 130miles from north to south and 70 miles from east to west. Within that triangular shape lies 4 mountain ranges: the world heritage Shirakami-Sanchi mountains to the north; the Ou Mountains which form the eastern border, Running parallel to the Our mountain range is the taller Dewa Mountain range that runs through the center of the prefecture. To the south is the eternally snow capped Mount Choukai, also know as the Mt Fuji of Akita. Akita’s western border is on the rough coast of the Japan Sea.

ASPEC members have their breweries in these mountains, valleys and seacoast.

And as their sake were mostly consumed by local people and produced to pair with the local cuisine, you can clearly identify the nuances of each brewery as you taste through the portfolio.